Senior News February, 2003 Vol. 22. No.  2

 

Published by the Humboldt Senior Resource Center in Eureka, California. HSRC is a non-profit community-based organization offering services for senior citizens, multi-generational families and caregivers.

Retired & Senior Volunteer Program is 30 years old!

Community meetings set Discuss senior needs in Fortuna

Think about it: the health care system-a terminal case

Mercury and Alzheimer's Disease

To build a ramp: The coming residential access crisis in rural America

Memoirs Writing class puts together the pieces of a life

Dollars and Sense

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The faces behind the phones at RSVP today: Gail Gai, Pam Zeutenhorst, Denise Vanden Bos, Stacy Becker, Betty Worley, Ross Mackinney and June Crym (not pictured: Tracy Jordan French and Linda O'Quinn). Photo by Barbara Clark

In 1973 federally sponsored volunteering was born. Of course, volunteering was nothing new-helping out for free is just part of life. Someone back in Washington, inspired no doubt in those days by the Peace Corps and other community-minded programs, had an idea. Why not start a volunteer program that encourages seniors to contribute their experience and skills in community service? It didn't take long for the Retired Senior Volunteer Program to open an office on the Humboldt State University campus, and a two-member staff was promptly hired. That did it-Humboldt and Del Norte seniors jumped right in and formed advisory committees with members geographically based throughout the two counties. In those days, you had to be 60 years old to join RSVP.

Reading committee meeting minutes from the early years, one realizes that our RSVP has always been very much people-based. Identifying areas where volunteers could help, finding people to volunteer, thinking of ways to raise more funding as the program grew, these questions and their solutions often originated at advisory committee meetings. In 1982 a county wide RSVP/SHARE Advisory Council was formed. Archive files indicate that the first eight official RSVP volunteers were recruited from the Senior Helpers Lunch Program in Eureka. Opal Cantrell, who still volunteers at the Humboldt Senior Resource Center, was one of those original eight.

Names recall memories. Original RSVP Director Andy Van Groll was replaced in 1974 by Interim Director Marge Nelson and then by Charlotte Tropp. Charlotte's charismatic energy brought RSVP successfully through the early years as the staff and volunteers increased in numbers. In 1984 the staff moved to the offices of its new sponsor, the Area Agency on Aging. Sadly, in 1987 Charlotte died in England while on sabbatical with her husband, Hank. More directors' names surface: Mona Johnston, Alex Reid, Carol Johnson-all worked hard to ensure that RSVP would continue successfully. And now we begin the new year with Director Stacy Becker.

In 1993, RSVP's age limit for membership was lowered to 55, and an ampersand was added to the name: Retired & Senior Volunteer Program. But the original concept still continues-just because you're 55+ or no longer working doesn't mean you should be put out to pasture. Seniors have a wealth of lifetime experience to offer, and volunteering benefits both the giver and the receiver.

Looking back, 30 years seems like a long time; and yet, where did the time go? If you're an RSVPer now, in 1973 you might have been in your 40s. Did you dream then about having free time to volunteer? Isn't it wonderful that RSVP is still going strong here in Humboldt and Del Norte counties? From a beginning of just eight volunteers, to more than 950 volunteers, we're here and we're going to keep on growing and giving to our community.

For more information on the Retired & Senior Volunteer Program and how you can volunteer in the community, please contact Stacy Becker at the Volunteer Center of the Redwoods: 442-3711 ext. 204.

June Crym wrote this as an RSVP volunteer. She is administrative assistant for the Caregiver Support Project, another program of the Area Agency on Aging.